BANGKOK, Aug 20 – The Royal Thai Police Board today appointed Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung as the country’s new national police chief.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, army chief and National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) head chaired the Police Board considering the appointment of the 10th National Police Commissioner at Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok this morning.
Two deputy police chiefs were under consideration for the post: Gen Somyot and Pol Gen Aek Angsananont. Both candidates were considered suitably qualified for the post.
The new police chief will replace Acting Police Chief Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, who retires at the end of September.
The NCPO appointed Gen Watcharapol as acting police chief, replacing Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, who was moved to the Prime Minister’s Office, following the military takeover on May 22.
